Warm, red berry fruit characterises this fresh Pinot Noir. Ripe tannins are balanced by fresh acidity and subtle oak on the finish.

The small wine village of Maimbray just to the north of Sancerre itself is home to both Domaine Roblin and Domaine du Pré Semelé. In fact the Roblins are just across the road from the Raimbaults at Pré Semelé with a similar story of two brothers – Matthias & Emile – the 4th generation taking over from their father and bringing new ideas to move the family Domaine forward. They have 19 hectares with a terroir made up of Kimmeridgian and Portlandian chalky clay (Terres Blanches) across 45 separate parcels of vines on the slopes around the villages of Maimbray and Sury-en-Vaux. Their vineyards, planted with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir, are worked sustainably, organically where possible; crop cover on rows to help combat erosion, soil work and green harvesting to restrain yields and improve ripeness. In the winery, intervention is minimal, no pumping and long lees aging. The wine style is very pure, fruit-forward yet fine and really top quality.

Grapes are grown on 5 year-old vines, planted at 8000 vines per hectare on clay and chalk soils, with areas of Portlandian clay. Yield between 40 and 50hl/ha.100% destemmed after harvest. Cold soak for several days before temperature-controlled fermentation. Pigeages and pump-overs during maceration which lasts between 20 and 30 days depending on the vintage. MLF is carried out in cuves and demi-muids followed by ageing for 10 to 12 months. Bottled straight from the barrel without fining or filtration.

Would work deliciously with a well-ripened Brie or Camembert.